DO YOU HAVE BLEEDING GUMS?

This a very common problem faced by literally all of us at some point or the other. Let us see what all are the important things we need to know in this regard.

CAUSES :

1. DENTAL CAUSES :

• Poor oral hygiene maintenance - when you don’t maintain your oral health properly all the plaque starts getting collected on the tooth surface and finally starts getting accumulating near the gum margins penetrating further inside which causes inflammation of your gums referred to as GINGIVITIS in medical terms causing them to bleed easily either when your brush or when you eat any hard food substances.

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• Not brushing the right way - sometimes we are unaware of the correct brushing techniques and we start to put unnecessary force to brush and in the harshest way sometimes causing injury to the gums causing them to bleed.  

• Improper flossing - it is very important to floss but it is also very important to floss the right way. There are so many tutorials available online which you can follow to floss correctly. The incorrect way of flossing can lead to injury to gums and cause them to bleed.

• Ill-fitting dentures - sometimes dentures which are too tight or some other pieces of the dentures might be hurtful to the patient's gums and cause its ulceration and bleeding.

• Change of a toothbrush - on changing from a soft bristles toothbrush to more harder bristles. 

B.    MEDICAL CAUSES :

• Any bleeding disorders

• Vitamin c and k deficiency

• Leukaemia - a blood cancer 

• Pregnancy - this condition is called pregnancy gingivitis in medical terms. The gums become more inflamed even without having poor oral hygiene and causes the gums to bleed easily.

• Certain blood-thinning medications

• Any other bleeding disorders 

While usually dental causes are the ones that prevail. 

If you, however, think that you might be having any medical condition leading to bleeding gums then don’t forget to visit your physician real soon.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF BLEEDING GUMS : 

• Swollen and red gums

• Gums that recede from the tooth

• Constant bad breath or taste in the mouth

• Loosening of your teeth

• Formation of pus around your gums and teeth

• Bleeding and inflamed gums

 If you see these symptoms in your mouth then don’t forget to visit your dentist to get relief from your problem.

TREATMENT OF BLEEDING GUMS :

• Brush your teeth twice a day.

• Floss your teeth once a day to reach the plaque your toothbrush can’t reach.

• Use an antigingivitis toothpaste to further reduce the inflammation.

• Use an antiseptic mouthwash to get rid of leftover plaque and germs.

• Rinse with warm salt water if gums are still swollen.

• Pick a soft toothbrush or electric toothbrush with less abrasive bristles.

• Select foods high in Vitamin C, Vitamin K.

• Drink your recommended 8 cups of water a day, especially after eating, to help wash down bacteria that can cause plaque.

• Say no to cigarettes and other tobacco products.

• Reduce your stress levels. When you relax, your body produces less of the stress hormone called cortisol, which can increase inflammation throughout the body.

• Make sure to schedule regular dental checkups twice a year.

That is all for today’s blog. 

Thank you!